The Executive Branch

What Are the Qualifications and Roles to Be President? Formal Qualifications: -Must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and a resident in the U.S for at least 14 years -Also must serve 4 years, with a 2 term and a 10 year limit Informal Qualification: -Must have government experience, money and ability to fundraise. -Usually the president is White, married, and middle class

Cont. Roles of the President: -Chief Executive -Commander in Chief -Chief Agenda Setter

EQ: How does it work? What preps exists with the electoral college and how can the system be reformed. Founding fathers proposed set ways to elect presidency Winner = president, 2nd = VP Direct Vote Electoral College Electors from each state chosen from representatives and senators in state Each state has as many electors as their representatives in congress (Ex. California has 55 electors) Presidency requires 270 electoral votes to win “Winner takes all system” - Majority of votes in state wins the whole states vote System is flawed and this method should be discontinued

What role does the cabinet, executive office, of the president and white house staff play in the executive branch? The president’s cabinet is made up of 15 secretaries of major executive departments, the VP and other top officials The Executive office of the President (EOP) consists of individuals and agencies that directly assist the president with advice Some of the agencies are: office of management and budget, national security council and national homeland security council The white house staff does not require senate approval

What are the responsibilities of the different departments? Defense monitor weapons development maintains military preparedness and quality manages defense budget monitors all branches of military monitors Coast Guard during wartime military planning done by Joint Chief of Staff Homeland Security ensures safety against terrorism keep border and transportation secure monitors U.S. Customs Service and border patrol agents ensures readiness and recovery ability from terrorist attacks and natural disasters Science and Technology agency researches preparations for threats using weapons of mass destruction assesses security threats and issues warnings oversees Coast Guard during peace tim Secret Service ensures protection for president and other leaders oversees US Citizenship and Immigration Service offices

Cabinet Responsibilities (cont.) Justice provides legal advice to President investigates and prosecutes violations of federal law the federal prison system oversees the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Antitrust Agency Attorney General is the highest law enforcement officer in the US after the President Labor oversees efforts to improve working conditions oversees Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) works to provide better employment opportunities attempts to protect worker’s rights minimum wage working hours etc. monitors affirmative action programs monitors pensions regulate unions

How Does the Federal Gov’t regulate business, labor and protect consumers? Tariffs and quotas protect american industries. Tax deductions, low interest rate loans and direct payments. Labor: Laws set minimum wages, maximum hours and prohibit child labor. National Labor Relations Board: protects workers and makes employers have to negotiate with unions, not penalize workers for being in union. Consumers: Security and Exchange commission: protection, Insurance for our money, stocks. Food and Drug administration: Contaminated or mislabeled food or drugs